The Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has announced plans to float a fresh political party ahead of the 2023 elections.
The group gave the hint yesterday at its Annual General Meeting held at the country home of its acting leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Sanya Ogbo, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The meeting attracted leaders and members from all the states in Yorubaland as well as Delta, Kwara and Kogi states.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the meeting, Adebanjo said the organisation was not convinced to participate in the coming election unless the constitution was reviewed with the proper restructuring of the country.
He said, “We are still going to take a decision on whether we will take part or not. But, we are forming a political party. We are not supporting anybody. Definitely, we are forming a party.
“I don’t believe in the election until they change this constitution, there is no level playing field under this fraudulent constitution.
“Afenifere is convinced that restructuring the Nigerian State before the 2023 general elections is achievable.
“It is achievable through the adoption of the Reports of the 2014 National Conference and the 2018 Mallam El-Rufai Committee of the APC on True Federalism with desirable modifications where necessary.”
In a communique issued after the meeting and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the group stressed the need to ensure security in the country.
It also declared the Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, as a “Prisoner of Conscience” and called on the international community to prevail on the governments of Nigeria and Benin Republic to release him.
It also demanded that the federal government pay him the damages awarded to him by the court for the attack on his person and property.
The meeting also called on the federal government to release the IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, even if “on political consideration, as happened in the case of Asari Dokubo under the then President Olusegun Obasanjo.”
